But it’s not just about leadership on and off the pitch. It’s about leading by example, by putting your foot in when it matters.

These are all qualities Liverpool are going to miss.

And that’s without even mentioning just how devastatingly effective Steven is with the ball at his feet.

I have likened his departure to that of Graeme Souness when I was a player.

Souness was a huge character, a real influence both on and off the pitch.

It took us some time to recover from his exit. We signed Jan Molby and Kevin Macdonald, and later on Steve McMahon.

So in effect it took three players to replace Souness, and I can see the same thing happening with Steven next season.

There are players out there who can do a job for Liverpool. Look at Ivan Rakitic at Barcelona – he cost only £15million and someone if his ilk would be perfect.

But Steven is more than just a footballer. He has become an icon of the club, a representation around the globe of what Liverpool stands for.

Mention Liverpool, and you immediately think Steven Gerrard.

So who can fill that breach? Who can become the face, the torch-bearer?

Steven has very, very big boots to fill. And it’s going to take time and more than one pair of feet to do the job.

Rodgers has had to put up with a lot – he deserves a break

There was always going to be one Liverpool manager who had to cope with the loss of Steven Gerrard.

But Brendan Rodgers had already been unfortunate enough to oversee the exit of another Scouse heartbeat in Jamie Carragher.

Factor in the departure of his best player in Luis Suarez last summer, and that’s been a lot for any boss to handle.

Especially one who remains relatively inexperienced manager at this level. Certainly, Rodgers is no match for the likes of Pellegrini, van Gaal, Wenger and Mourinho on that score.

Defensively, we still haven’t recovered from Jamie leaving. Nor have we properly dealt with Suarez going, although at least we got good money for him. And we’ll struggle to replace Steven.

A banner reading 'In Rodgers we trust' is flown over Anfield during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool

Given all of that, it’s perhaps about time we cut Rodgers some slack.

I’ve said before that we’ve done well to finish fifth, not least with Daniel Sturridge having missed most of the season.

What this should do, then, is give more power to Rodgers’ elbow when he speaks to the club’s owners over his summer transfer plans.

Yes, he’s not spent the Suarez money wisely.

But on the pitch he recognised things were going wrong and changed them.

With Gerrard going, it’s not going to get any easier for Rodgers.

And while he would benefit from being a bit more upfront during interviews – if the team hasn’t played well, the fans would appreciate if he just said so rather than constantly praising the character of his players – Rodgers deserves backing.

Mignolet gong will mean plenty

There were more than a few eyebrows raised when Simon Mignolet was named Liverpool’s player of the year by the former players’ association last week.

For the fans, Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can and Martin Skrtel are most likely to be leading the running for the annual gong.

But Mignolet, even considering his excellent second half of the season, probably isn’t being considered.

His award, though, is from former players. They are the ones who have been there with Liverpool.

And they recognise everybody has been through the loss of form and confidence that Mignolet suffered before Christmas.

It’s even worse if you’re a goalkeeper, where every single mistake is highlighted and often results in conceding a goal.

Mignolet will therefore appreciate the award and appreciate the sentiment.

Jon Achterberg, Danny Ward, Brad Jones and Simon Mignolet of Liverpool pose at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 16, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

He has come back strongly since regaining his place and is performing very well.

The Belgian has learned how to be decisive with crosses – and what a difference that has made – and has always been a good shotstopper.

But he still needs pushing.

We need to sign another top goalkeeper. It’s harsh, but Brad Jones isn’t good enough for where we want to be.

You need two goalkeepers at this level that can push each other on.

Even when Mignolet was on the sidelines, he knew would get back into the team at some point, even without the help of Jones’s injury at Burnley on Boxing Day.

As any player knows, you’re only really pushed when you think you aren’t going to get back into the team.

Ronaldo proves football's a team game

I’m delighted Juventus are through to the Champions League final. They were the only ‘team’ on show at the Bernabeu the other night.

It’s great watching Real Madrid when they get it right, but it’s too much about Cristiano Ronaldo for me.

He’s a brilliant player, but at that level you can’t have a team that is basically just all about one player. Ronaldo has far, far too much influence. And while I’m glad for Juventus, I still think Barcelona will win in Berlin.